Udumalai Vadivel &
Prince Ennares Periyar
When ideas travel, they often walk on human feet. On 5 January 2026, one such journey unfolded in Navi Mumbai as Dr. K. Veeramani, President of the Dravidar Kazhagam and a leading voice of the Self-Respect movement, visited the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak at Airoli after participating in the Self-Respect Centenary Conference in Mumbai.
An entrance shaped like a book, a universe of learning within
Even before stepping inside, the Smarak announced its philosophy. The entrance gate, designed like an open book standing upright, set the tone: this is not merely a monument, but a living library of social justice. Dr. Veeramani paused here, visibly delighted, reading the architecture as a statement: knowledge is the true gateway to emancipation.
The staff received him warmly and escorted him to the reception hall, where portraits of social justice icons lined the walls. Here, conversation itself became a miniature seminar as Dr. Veeramani reflected on the lineage of reform from Ambedkar to Periyar.
A multi-purpose hall with purpose
The first major space shown was the multi-purpose auditorium, meant for seminars, discussions, and exhibitions. Dr. Veeramani appreciated its design, noting that it blended dignity with accessibility, echoing Ambedkar’s belief that public spaces must serve public education.
The Library: the heart of the Smarak
If the Smarak has a heart, it is its circular, visually striking library. Books were arranged at arm’s reach, inviting touch rather than distance. Dr. Veeramani entered with curiosity, picking up volumes, flipping pages, and sharing rare historical insights that left librarians amazed.
His search for Ambedkar’s Marathi writings led to a brief digital delay, but the moment turned into a learning exchange rather than a setback. Through printed pages and digital tools, he highlighted Ambedkar’s writings on the 1929 Chengalpattu Self-Respect Conference and the Nashik Samaj Samata Sammelan, linking Ambedkar and Periyar in a shared struggle for equality.
The library was widely acknowledged by accompanying visitors as the most powerful section of the Smarak because it connects past, present, and future through ideas rather than idols.+
Women at the helm:a living legacy
One striking feature of the institution was that many of its key officials were women, including Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sangharatna Khillare. Former DMC Sandhya Ambade, who was the incharge during its initiation, was also present to explain the features of Babasaheb Dr.Ambedkar Smarak. When an emotional visitor tried to touch Dr. Veeramani’s feet as a gesture of traditional respect, he immediately stopped her, reminding everyone that Ambedkar and Periyar fought precisely so women would stand as equals, not kneel in reverence. The Smarak, in its leadership structure itself, embodied this vision.
A museum that narrates history, not decorates it
The visual gallery on Ambedkar’s life was more than a display; it was a moving chronology. Dr.K.Veeramani walked through each section, explaining historical contexts to officials and comrades alike.
A particularly evocative artwork caught his attention: a metallic sculpture of a hand and pen without a visible body, symbolizing the primacy of ideas over identity. The moment moved him deeply; he stood beside it, fist raised in salute to Ambedkar.
Another central feature was a large engraved Preamble to the Indian Constitution, presented first in Marathi and English, reflecting the region’s linguistic character.
A meditation hall shaped like a pen nib
The Meditation Hall sat atop 38 steps, crowned by a roof shaped like a pen nib, a poetic reminder that Ambedkar’s greatest weapon was the pen.
When the elevator failed, Dr. Veeramani insisted on climbing the stairs unaided. On reaching the top, he casually remarked that there were 38 steps. Descending visitors counted them in unison, only to confirm his accuracy.
Later, he joked that the broken lift was a blessing in disguise: it gave him a “scientific check” on his heart’s fitness.
Human-friendly hospitality
Before leaving, Dr. Veeramani wrote in the visitors’ book, praising the library and describing the reception as “Human friendly reception.” Officials confessed that such warmth is rare in today’s institutional culture.
A monument that lives its message
The Dr. Ambedkar Smarak is not merely a memorial; it is a civic classroom, a feminist workplace, a constitutional archive, and a democratic space. Dr. Veeramani’s visit transformed it from a building into a dialogue between two giants of social justice—Ambedkar and Periyar—echoing through architecture, art, and administration.
